The Absolutist by John Boyne
Doubleday, 2011
309 pages
Motivation for reading:
John Boyne has been on my radar for years, but Les's recent review convinced me the time had come to try one of his novels.
Source: ebook borrowed from the library
Publisher's summary (from goodreads):
It is September 1919: twenty-one-year-old Tristan Sadler takes a train from London to Norwich to deliver a package of letters to the sister of Will Bancroft, the man he fought alongside during the Great War.
But the letters are not the real reason for Tristan's visit. He can no longer keep a secret and has finally found the courage to unburden himself of it. As Tristan recounts the horrific details of what to him became a senseless war, he also speaks of his friendship with Will - from their first meeting on the training grounds at Aldershot to their farewell in the trenches of northern France. The intensity of their bond brought Tristan happiness and self-discovery as well as confusion and unbearable pain.
The Absolutist is a masterful tale of passion, jealousy, heroism, and betrayal set in one of the most gruesome trenches of France during World War I. This novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats until its most extraordinary and unexpected conclusion, and will stay with them long after they've turned the last page.
My thoughts:
The stars aligned for a great reading experience last week. It started with Les's review, which appeared just as I was about to select my next book. Then, consulting goodreads, I found several other trusted blogging friends loved it, too. And finally, the ebook was available for immediate download from my library.
Choosing this book was a bit of a departure for me - I do not read war books. Novels focused on life back home or women at Bletchley Park, for example, are fine, but I prefer not to go to the front. The Absolutist took me right into the trenches. In addition to the actual fighting, descriptive details of lice infestation, unrelenting mud, and physical hardship made for tough reading at times... but it was all relevant, even necessary, to the story.
The writing itself was excellent and the character development superb. I loved getting to know Tristan and Will and also appreciated the way Boyne portrayed minor characters. The ending literally took my breath away.
I know many of you have read John Boyne and I will definitely seek out more of his work. Are they all this intense? What do you suggest I read next?
My rating:
The next and possibly very best Boyne for me was A History of Loneliness. Completely fantastic. The 2nd 5-star Boyne for me (the first being this one, The Absolutist).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Penny! I just looked it up on goodreads and it sounds fantastic... right up my alley. My library has a copy, too, so I'll add it to my fall list.
DeleteVicki - This was so far outside my normal reading and, in a few places, it was tough to read... had to take some breaks. The writing and the characters more than made up for my discomfort. Not sure what your level of tolerance might be...
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased you enjoyed this novel! It is a difficult read, at times, but such marvelous writing. I don't think A Ladder to the Sky is an intense read, nor is The Heart's Invisible Furies (which has laugh out loud humor to counter the tragic tale). I'm adding A History of Loneliness to my list, thanks to Penny's rec.
ReplyDeleteLes - This was such a great read, but I'm relieved to know that not all of his books are this intense. A History of Loneliness sounds really good to me, too. Can't find it in ebook, but my library does have a print copy. Will read it when we get back in the fall.
DeleteI LOVED this one when I read it last year. Yes, tough to read in parts and that ending I never anticipated. I enjoyed: A Ladder to the Sky, The Heart's Invisible Furies and Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I still have several others of his that I'd like to read as well.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I tend to avoid war books with this intensity, but am so glad I didn't this time! Such a good read!! Boyne's backlist is going to keep me busy for a long time.
DeleteAbsolutely loved The Heart's Invisible Furies. One of my all-time favorites. A Ladder to the Sky is also wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - I have a lot of reading to do!! There is not one of his books that does not appeal to me. In a way it's strange that I even started here. considering far out of my comfort zone it is!
DeleteI've seen this book recommended by a number of bloggers so it's on my TBR list. Glad to see you recommend it to highly.
ReplyDeleteHelen - It's so well written and Boyne has developed some fascinating characters!
DeleteI thought The Heart's Invisible Furies was an amazing book. I am now looking forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteDeb - I tried The Heart's Invisible Furies years ago and set it aside. Most people love that one, so I'd like to give it another try at some point.
DeleteYeah between yours & Lesley's review of this novel .... you definitely have me putting the novel on my list to read soon! Was it you who didn't like his novel The Heart's Invisible Furies? I have not tried this author yet -- but I'm curious by his WWI tale the most. Nicely reviewed.
ReplyDeleteSusan - I started The Heart's Invisible Furies years ago, but lost interest and set it aside. Thought I'd read about 100 pages, but a quick check of goodreads tells me it was over 200. Either way, I wasn't completely hooked and something else must have come along and grabbed my attention. I'll likely try A History of Loneliness (recommended by Penny above) next... the summary sounds very interesting!
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